Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Leighton Williams

August 4, 2013August 4, 2013 / WriterlySam / 17 Comments

Welcome to the TREE OF LIFE: Branching Out collaborative writing challenge, where creative minds meet epic movie music. To read the collective story in its entirety as it unfolds and for more details on this groundbreaking collaboration with Audiomachine click HERE.

Today’s featured guest, Leighton Williams, is no stranger to epic writing, with a passion for film scores that lead to the creation of Trailer Music Vibe and an E.P.I.C novel rooted in music.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine -Apotheosis – Tree of Life

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Zoe now focused on the unique tree in front of them. Its roots were not only spread deep but also spanned countless miles on end, as evidenced by the ruptured earth that passed between her and Adam’s feet.

“My goodness, have you ever beheld something that possessed this much grandeur?” were the words of an awestruck Adam.

“It truly is magnificent.”

“I’m going to do a bit more of exploring. If you need anything, I’ll just be over the hill down in the meadow.” He turned to leave.

Esoteric one.

“Who – ?” Zoe looked down at her arm, only to discover that the serpent had disappeared.

Yes, who? was the reply of a voice, whose location she could not yet discern–until she noticed the shimmering scaly reflection of several coils tightly wrapped around the lower boughs of the tree and the head of which looked on with eerie approval.

Take of the fruit my dear Zoe, for once you do you will achieve a state that you had once thought to be unattainable.

“Which is what?”

The serpent smiled coyly.

Apotheo-sissss…

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ATTENTION FANS: You can WIN an autographed TREE OF LIFE Audiomachine album by LEAVING COMMENTS! On August 17th, two lucky readers will be chosen at random from the comments section of the story excerpts. The more you comment–the better your chances are of winning a piece of cinematic history! We want to hear from YOU!

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

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Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Sarah Wesson

August 3, 2013August 2, 2013 / WriterlySam / 16 Comments

Today’s featured guest writer is the witty, word wielding librarian, Sarah Wesson. Visit Sarah at Earful of Cider, where the caffeine gnomes demand tribute!

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Age of Innocence – Tree of Life

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The distant mountain grumbled again, and Zoe felt the vibrations. “What’s happening?” she asked, pressing a hand to her stomach.

Adam laughed. “We’re hungry, my love.” He sprang to his feet and helped her to hers. “Come on.”

Hand in hand, they walked in beauty under the dawn streaked sky, uncaring that they were naked.

They came to a place where tangles of wild grapevines wound around heavy-laden berry bushes. They ate until their lips were stained red from sweet fruits and their breath was savory from vegetables pulled from the rich earth.

Deeper they wandered into the garden, and deeper, until the ground rose and they found themselves on a path leading to two white rocks.

The Unicorn landed before them, its horn catching the sun and flashing with sudden fire–but they were unafraid. Adam’s voice and Zoe’s touch gentled their friend and its horn cooled as it bowed its head and withdrew.

A shining coil lifted its head from a boulder, the slitted eyes brimming with broken pride and aching sorrow.

Zoe’s heart broke open, and she reached out. It wound itself around her arm and seemed to take comfort from the scent of her skin on its flicking tongue.

Adam drew her to him and they passed between the rocks.

A tree of familiar and wondrous beauty stood before them, a single, glowing fruit hanging from the lowest of its branches.

The serpent hid its head in the crook of Zoe’s arm.

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TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

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Daily Picspiration: Treehuggers

August 2, 2013August 16, 2013 / WriterlySam / Leave a comment

I’ve recently joined a gifted group of writers who create short stories from photo prompts. Each day features a different writer with his or her own “picspiration”. Stop by Daily Picspiration for intriguing new stories updated daily!

Curious about the story behind this picture? Take a look at my flash fiction, Treehuggers, a tongue & cheek dedication to all the brilliant Branching Out writers! There will be a reception afterwards in the tree house, with an open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres:)

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I appreciate feedback, so comment, critique or just banter to your heart’s content! Should you leave a really awesome comment over at Daily Picspiration, I may share my fair-trade, shade-grown, bird-sanctuary, organic coffee with you:) Or, if you leave a link to your site, I can just pop in and say something witty after polishing off a cup or two!

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Lisa Shambrook

August 2, 2013August 1, 2013 / WriterlySam / 17 Comments

Today’s featured guest writer is the poetic soul, Lisa Shambrook. Discover those silly dreams that keep us alive at The Last Krystallos.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Day One – Tree of Life

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As the storm finally subsided…and light, melodious rain fell, Zoe rested replete in Adam’s arms. Crepuscular rays bathed their searing, salty skin and Zoe’s soft smile lingered. Waves rippled and scintillating diamonds glittered on the ocean surface.

A drip, from the leaves above, sizzled as it touched her skin and Adam’s finger trailed the bead of water down to her breast, where he let it settle. Zoe raised her hand and stroked his thigh, their eyes meeting in calm satiety and love. Zoe’s hand smoothed across her belly and down into the sand.

“So, this is life…” Zoe sighed.

Adam nodded, “Giving and creating…” A wide grin spread across his freckled face as he lifted a daisy from behind her ear. “We’re intrinsic now…to this earth, to this life…to the dance of this planet.”

They laughed as an exultant neigh interrupted their moment, and they beheld their unicorn galloping across the endless stretch of sand and sea, daisies blooming beneath his hooves and waves crashing in his chaotic wake.

Laughter lit up the sky and Adam pulled Zoe’s lips to his. As they parted, a breeze danced across their bodies and they shivered in unison. Adam’s words resounded across the wide expanse as they embraced. “We are one.”

Across the ocean, on the far horizon, a mountain grumbled beneath simmering clouds.

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TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

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Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Angela Brown

August 1, 2013August 1, 2013 / WriterlySam / 36 Comments

Today’s featured guest author, Angela Brown, weaves the magical and mysterious into her tales. For more of Angela’s speculative spirit, join her Pursuit of Publishness.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Leaving the Nest – Tree of Life

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A thunderclap jolted the trio awake, hearts racing from surprise. Dark clouds brooded impatiently, closing in on their nest in the sky. Emitting high pitched squawks in protest, the eagles took flight, leaping free, followed closely by the unicorn.

Tempest winds whistled in their ears and worried their wings, stripping feathers by the handful as they spiraled down. Bones shifted and stretched. Their bodies elongated into human form.

The moment Zoe and Adam lost all flight, their feet sank into wet grains of sand. Their bodies sizzled from the transition, skin stung by rainfall.

“Over there!” Adam pointed to a cluster of low hanging palm leaves. Grasping each other’s hands, they ran the few yards to shelter, falling to their knees beneath the canopy.

“Where are we?” Zoe rubbed her hands over her bare arms.

“Where we are meant to be. Together.” Adam traced his thumb along her jawline and leaned forward.

Zoe closed her eyes, tingling inside from the spark he sealed in her when they first met.

Adam breathed out. Zoe breathed him in.

In a tangle of arms and legs, wet hair splayed upon the sand, man knew woman.

And the thunder rolled.

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TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

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Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Gwen Gardner

July 31, 2013 / WriterlySam / 33 Comments

Today’s featured guest is the humorous and clever creator of paranormal mysteries, Gwen Gardner, YA Fiction Author!

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Hallowed Dawn – Tree of Life

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As the dove spread his wings wide to encompass the horse, they transformed into one. Thus, a wondrous creature was born on the wings of a silvery-grey dove. For the horse, rewarded for its pure love and faith, became the sacred unicorn.

Unicorn shed his thick hooves for lighter travel through the heavens. Zoe and Adam, not to waste the God-given resource, weaved the shavings with their beaks into a spiral and placed it on Unicorn’s forehead as a symbol of unity between animal and mankind.

The three soared playfully through the skies. Updrafts carried them high into the atmosphere. Downdrafts sent them plunging back through. They rode the currents of life, up and over and around and through, until tired, they rested in the silver-lined cradle of a cumulus cloud, rocked gently by the hand of God.

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TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

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Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Mina Lobo

July 30, 2013July 30, 2013 / WriterlySam / 25 Comments

Today’s featured guest writer is the dark and whimsical temptress, Mina Lobo. Discover the sensuous side of imagination at Some Dark Romantic.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – An Unfinished Life – Tree of Life

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And after this moment? Zoe thought. The core of me remains, so I believe I must go on, but where? To what purpose?

Zoe sensed that her new form would not last. She flew in rapid circles, uncertainty and fear roiling within. An urgent need for action gripped her. Right or wrong, her spirit compelled her to go.

She swooped and brushed a wing against Adam’s cheek. When his hand reached for her, Zoe soared away into the darkening skies.

* * *

Adam watched the eagle until it was barely a speck. He’d known Zoe must leave, so why this overwhelming sadness? Why did his soul groan in protest? For Zoe, he had all the answers, but for himself? None.

“You’re still here?” asked the wizened woman. At his bewildered look, she said, “An Adam needs his Eve, you know.”

At that, Adam sprinted and leapt into the air. His change instantaneous, a second eagle bolted after the first.

The horse whinnied a question.

“Yes, you can go too.” The elder swept her gnarled hand, transforming him into a silvery-grey dove. He hovered, gave an experimental swirl, then followed his master to parts yet unknown.

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TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

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Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Michelle Wallace

July 29, 2013 / WriterlySam / 22 Comments

Today’s featured guest is the skilled stringer of words, Michelle Wallace. Visit Michelle over at Writer in Transit, where the journey never ends!

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine -Life Chronicles – Tree of Life

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She felt the power of the gift as the ongoing conflict raged within. It was both wondrous and terrifying at the same time, as it boosted her spirit and sapped every ounce of strength from her body.

“Who are you?” Zoe enquired of this sage, whose countenance told a tale of ageless wisdom.

“I am nobody and I am everybody. I am you and you are me. We have met before, at some place, at some point in time, and yet this is our first conscious encounter.”

“I don’t understand.”

“All life vibrates in a never-ending dance within every atom of our being, which leads to our continuously changing nature.”

She struggled to comprehend, to hold on, yet knew that she had to relinquish the familiar and go where this wondrous change would lead her.

Adam smiled knowingly. “You cannot escape that which has been preordained. From the moment of your birth, through every step of your life’s journey, everything has been leading up to this moment.”

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TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

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Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Tina Downey

July 27, 2013July 26, 2013 / WriterlySam / 28 Comments

I want to extend a warm Välkommen to our Swedish wielder of words, Tina Downey. Follow Tina’s writerly escapades over at Life is Good.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Cry Freedom – Tree of Life

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As the tree withered, Zoe felt herself begin to really live, as the roots her feet had become grew deeper and deeper into the increasingly colder earth.

The change happening to her physically was excruciating, but her heart was elated as she felt herself being propelled towards the sky, growing branches and shoots and more branches. Leaves appeared where her hands had been, and she felt the breeze ruffling them all over her body. It felt right.

The feeling of completion left her wanting more. A voice whispered in her soul, “Freedom! Take the freedom!” As she had before, she willed it to happen, and the freedom came easily, smoothly.

She no longer felt the pain, instead she seemed to shrink even as she ascended further. The fluttering leaves were now far below her as she allowed the transformation to take her body once more.

The thin man smiled as he watched the eagle, appearing as from nowhere, soaring quickly away from the new tree.

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TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

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Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Shannon Kenoyer Lawrence

July 26, 2013 / WriterlySam / 24 Comments

Today’s featured guest is the gifted author, Shannon Kenoyer Lawrence. Join Shannon on her writerly journey at The Warrior Muse.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Turning Point – Tree of Life

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The arcs exploded into bits of glimmering light. As these glorious specks cascaded over Zoe, she was filled with a sense of elation, her fear beginning to ease, calm settling over her. This was her time.

The thin man left the others behind and approached her. He pressed a hand to her belly, and she felt a quickening beneath it, gasping as the pain of countless bee stings filled her. Yet she bore it, stood tall, unwavering.

His voice was that of millions, speaking as one. “To thee, I grant conscious choice. You have the power to determine what happens from here.”

She looked into his yellow eyes as the agony moved down her legs, into her feet. He removed his hands, but stayed before her, his gaze shifting to the ground. Her own eyes followed, and she was stunned by what she saw. Her feet shimmered, the flesh moving as if something lay beneath it. She felt within her an ache to change, to let go. Something fought for release. His words came back to her, and she knew what she must do.

Zoe allowed the change to occur, willed it to do so, watching as her feet elongated. She reveled in the sensation as they broke through the crust, penetrating the soil, so cool against her flesh.

She felt the roots of the tree that stood near her. They were weak, crumbling; she sensed a sickness there. Her own roots spread, intertwining with the old ones and breaking them apart.

The tree began to wither.

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TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon